Message from the President

We thank them both for their support and look forward to an ongoing collaboration.

Just prior to Christmas I received a number of emails regarding the decision by CASA and the airlines to restrict the weight of carry on baggage to 7 kilos.

This has already come into force and has already had a significant impact on many of our members, who for obvious reasons prefer to carry their camera, lenses and allocated 2 batteries on board with them.

The airlines have until now wavered any penalty given the nature of our industry and the understanding between those travelling and airline staff.

But that has changed, and as a response I contacted CASA along with Virgin and Qantas seeking an urgent meeting to discuss this with them.

CASA responded immediately thus:

UNCLASSIFIED

Hi Ron,

CASA does not set the carry on bag weight limit – this is done by each airline according to the aircraft type and their own policies. Once the airlines place these limits in their operational manuals then they are a requirement.regards

I know this issue affects many of you, so as soon as I hear anything from the airline representatives approached I will let you know.

I am pleased to announce that Mylene and Malcolm Ludgate will be representing the Society at this years BSC EXPO at Battersea, London. I am certain they will return with lots of information about new equipment and technologies that will be available during 2019. Safe travels Mylene and Mal.

I have just returned from Vienna where I attended the IMAGO Board meeting along with the IMAGO “INSPIRATION” Masterclass.

This hugely successful 3 day event, run under the IMAGO banner by the Austrian Society, it’s President Astrid Heubrandtner and her hardworking committee, along with te IMAGO Masterclass Committee of which I am a member.

When you have around 200 participants listening to Dan Laustsen DFF, Barry Ackroyd BSC, Maryse Alberti and Greig Fraser ACS ASC, it promised a lot and delivered. It was a truly remarkable insight into the working methodology of these outstanding cinematographers. It was great to see Queensland member, Mark Broadbent in attendance on his way home from Iceland, and I think Mark will share his observations at a later date. Additionally, we had a very special screening of the wonderful documentary from Claire Pijman NSC “Living the Light – Robby Müller” The masterclasses are not about equipment or new trends, they are an exchange of experience, screening clips from their films, explaining the lighting and other artistic choices – all together with the cinematographic expression as a pivotal beginning.

I have included some photographs for you all.

So, again HAPPY NEW YEAR for this Year of the Pig!

Cheers

Ron Johanson OAM ACSNational President

‘Yes and’orYes, however’…

As a Safety Supervisor our Job is not to say no to a Producer it’s our job to say ‘Yes and’ or Yes, however’…

Now there may be a thousand implications or restrictions to give reasons why the production should not move ahead with their plan, but I firmly believe that is not our place to say no to the Producer, Director or (if you’re not in the film or entertainment industry) employer, manager, supervisor client…

It’s our job to say yes, that can be done, (of course it can be done, you can walk on the moon. If you can afford to) however to do the proposed event or job safely we as a collective will need to install set up or create these specific protocols to facilitate it. In other words yes we can do it but it’s going to cost this much…

In acting circles the Yes and principal refers to ‘improvisation’ and in the entrepreneurial world it’s the just say yes and figure out how to do it later rule’.. As a Safety Supervisor especially in the film or entertainment industry, we need to adopt a similar philosophy, so we don’t quash or stall the creative process. We need to work with the client be it the director, producer or otherwise to help them fulfil their vision.

While it may be cost prohibitive or logistically unreasonable to do what’s being sked it’s our job to highlight the safety implications of their desires.

Above pointing out the safety implications, it’s also our job to suggest potential alternatives that are not only safer but cheaper while keeping true the storyline or the original vision or direction the production or director has in mind.

Work with not against, should be our mantra, our job is not to say no its to say yes but or yes and….

So get back to work and work with your clients not against them.

ROSCO

DMG LUMIERE MIX

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